December 1999 Meeting Photos
© Frank Ford, 12/5/99; Photos by FF, 12/5/99
Our hosts, Todd Taggart and the folks who run L.M.I. and the American School of Lutherie, have the ideal facility for luthier meetings. Not only do they have a big classroom and meeting space, and lots of "show-and-tell" items among their inventory, they also put together a big inventory clearance sale.
I made out like a bandit. Being one of the few repair guys at the sale, I was ready to grab all kinds of "reject" materials. I bought a big batch of incredibly bad fingerboards - so warped they could never be used on any kind of neck. For me, they're a perfect source of fine grain ebony for mandolin bridges! It seemed as though everyone was leafing through guitar tops, backs and sides, many of which were outstanding wood at great bargain prices. On top of that, the entire L. M. I. inventory was discounted 10%. So, not only did we get a rare opportunity to pick through all that fine luthier lumber, but we saved some dough, too.
OK, here are some photos of the NCAL gang and some of the instruments we "shared."
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